Founded in 1880, Pierre, South Dakota, is a small city with a population of about 14,000 people, making it the second least-populous state capital after Montpelier, Vermont, and the eighth-largest city in South Dakota.
The capital city of South Dakota, while being somewhat laidback, is home to several exciting attractions and outdoor pursuits, which will leave you in awe of its magnificence and rich history.
Join ViewCation as we discuss some of the best things to do in Pierre, South Dakota.
Trail of Governors
The Trail of Governors in Pierre, South Dakota, is dedicated to honoring South Dakota’s governors in a unique and enduring manner. It is a line of life-sized statues of all past South Dakota governors forming a “trail” from the State Capitol area to downtown Pierre and with each statue, is a short piece of narrative about them. The life-sized bronze statues of past governors were created by several South Dakota artists.
Along the trail, bronze monuments celebrate each of South Dakota’s governors for the benefit of both inhabitants of the state and visitors to the city. Future governors will be included in the Trail of Governors as well.
This sculpture trail is the only trail of its kind anywhere in the United States, and with the plan being to erect at least three new statues each year, it’s definitely worth checking out.
South Dakota State Capitol
South Dakota State Capitol was built in 1910, and the building has been used every day since then as the State of South Dakota offices, the home of the South Dakota Supreme Court, and the South Dakota State Legislature, which meets each year from January to March.
The South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre is known for its spectacular architecture, with its interior beautified by native stone, Indiana limestone, and Italian marble. Scagliola columns, statues, stained glass windows, and artwork also adorn the inside of the building. The building has many distinguishing features. Even the floors have a mystery to them. It is said that 66 Italian workers each left their mark on the building in the form of a blue tile laid randomly on the floor.
On the second floor, the 96-foot-high open rotunda is decorated with sixteen depictions of symbols such as the Tree of Life, acanthus leaves, and the South Dakota state flower, the pasque flower. The third level houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. More statues, including memorials of the Second World War, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and Governor Mickelson, are located just outside the Capitol grounds.
The State Capitol has majestic architecture inside and out. Sculptures and paintings adorn the central rotunda. There is also a marble staircase that leads to the display of miniature gowns worn by each First Lady at the inaugural balls and one tux when the governor was a lady.
The Capitol is more than just a place where bills are debated and meetings are held; the building’s exquisite features and events make it a popular tourist destination. The South Dakota State Capitol building is one of the most reccomended Pierre attractions.
Oahe Dam
The Oahe Dam, located just north of Pierre and Fort Pierre, South Dakota, is a large earthen dam on the Missouri River. Officially named by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. This dam is the fourth-biggest manmade reservoir in the United States and is one of the world’s largest earth-rolled dams.
The dam’s power plant supplies power to much of north-central United States. The Oahe Dam also supplies irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, and navigation benefits. The dam further provides excellent recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages. The dam has a visitor center which offers a complete history of the lake and surrounding area. Power Plant tours are available as well.
The dam has beautiful scenery, which is excellent if you’re planning on taking a picnic or snapping a few pictures, providing the ultimate combination of beauty and function – it is a must-see for tourists.
The Flaming Fountain
Flaming Fountain Memorial can be found on the shores of Capitol Lake. This pehnomenal monument is dedicated to the local South Dakotans who fought for the city and their country. There is a fountain, stone memorial, and waterfall adorned with an eagle statue that remembers the members of the mighty Sioux Nation who died in America’s modern war. The fountain is unique as in the past, and flames would rise above the water. Water is drawn from a nearby well that feeds into Capitol Lake, and when gas is channeled into the memorial and lit, flames begin to dance above the top of the fountain.
Unlike many memorials, the flaming fountain has a unique fire and water display at the South Dakota war memorial. This adds an extra dimension to the memorials.
The flaming fountain is an elegant and thoughtful tribute to fallen warriors in all branches of service. There are memorial walls to police officers and firefighters as well. It is a calming place to reflect on fallen heroes and one of the best memorials in America.
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La Framboise Island
The photo-worthy island of La Framboise Island Nature Area is located along the Missouri River, and paying it a visit is one of the best things to do in Pierre, South Dakota. This scenic island is magnificent with its lush greenery covered in trees and meadows, is home to numerous species of wildlife and birds. Some of the common wildlife include deers, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. Its other facilities include hiking and biking trails, a boat ramp, a fishing dock, and a picnic shelter.
If nature and beautiful scenery are your thing, then this is totally your spot. Visitors can stroll through natural trails shaded by Russian olive, cedar, ash, and native cottonwood trees. The designated picnic shelter is close to the boat ramp, where families and groups can enjoy a day out in the open.
The island itself has a popular trail system ideal for hiking, biking, walking, photography, and nature viewing. The La Framboise Island Trail makes for an easy and comfortable stroll suitable for tourists of all ages. It is broken up into small loops, including the River, Forest, and Prairie Trails, so you can customize the length of your walk. The paths are wide and well-maintained wherever you go, and benches for resting and enjoying the view can be found along the way.
The island boasts features like quiet secluded beaches, a nice mix of woods and prairie fields across the island’s interior, and a great view of rolling hills in the distance. This park is undoubtedly a sight to see if you are in Pierre.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center
The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center opened in 1989 with the mission of interpreting and preserving the state’s heritage and culture. This center is host to the State Archives, a museum, historic preservation efforts, and research and publishing offices. Three permanent exhibits of the Museum highlight South Dakota’s cultural heritage from the Native Tribes to the present day.
The Museum recreates the cultural history of South Dakota in these three permanent galleries It begins with the story of the Native American nations who lived in South Dakota prior to statehood and continues through the twenty-first century. The exhibits are exceptional and show the history of South Dakota from multiple perspectives as they move through historical events using narratives, museum pieces, videos, audio, and photos.
The history of numerous Native American tribes (primarily the Sioux tribes), immigrants, military members, women, and politicians is detailed and attractively displayed. This lovely structure has Native American and pioneer displays, as well as many rare items reflecting South Dakota’s history. The most exciting thing about the South Dakota heritage center is that it is not your typical museum structure, this Museum is built into the side of a hill, and much of it is underground. The exhibits are well-currated, and there is a great deal of information about the history of South Dakota’s native peoples’ struggles.
The displays are more or less chronologically organized and go through South Dakota history from when it was just a territory until it became a state. The building is stunning the way they built it into the hillside. It is definitely worth a tour when visiting Pierre.
South Dakota National Guard Museum
The Museum is currently located in the old truck and gun shed built by the South Dakota National Guard and Works Project Administration in 1941. The South Dakota National Guard Museum was set up to honor the heritage and accomplishments of the National Guard members both past and present of South Dakota but has quickly become a great tourist attraction.
The historical relics of the National Guard of South Dakota are on display at the South Dakota National Guard Museum. Both the Army and the Air National Guard have a rich history that visitors will learn all about.
This Museum is also a unique showcase of military relics, uniforms, equipment, and vehicles. The Museum has a large area for visitors to explore; Outside the Museum is an array of weapons on display such as the Sherman Tank, 75mm Cannon, A-7-D Jet, Anti-Aircraft guns, and a 105mm Howitzer. Some of these artifacts date as far back as 1860.
This South Dakotan Museum is one of just 20 authorized National Guard museums in the United States. Stop by and learn of the history and heroes of the South Dakota Guard.
And that concludes this video on the best things to do in Pierre, South Dakota. Did we miss any of your favorite spots in Pierre? What did you find most interesting from our list? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
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